Tylan Mulcahy
Contributing Writer
Long-time College of Saint Rose men’s basketball coach, Brian Beaury, after retiring in 2018 due to health issues, has returned to coaching the men’s team this year, saying how he is looking forward to getting the team back on track.
Beaury had coached men’s basketball at Saint Rose for over 30 years before having to leave in the 2017-2018 season because of his health. He said at 58 years old, he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a genetic type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the ligaments and joints of the spine or other joints like the knees, ankles, and hips.
He had undergone ten orthopedic operations and seen specialists up and down the East Coast before finally receiving a proper diagnosis at Johns Hopkins. “Now that they know what’s wrong with me, we can actually treat it as opposed to just giving me new pieces,” he said.
With his health under control, he expressed readiness to return to coaching. “I have a lot of pride in this program,” Beaury stated. “I believe in the college and the program, and we’re going to get back on track quickly.”
While his initial intention was to return as an assistant coach, he soon found himself at the helm of the program when the former head coach decided to step down. This unexpected turn of events didn’t deter Beaury, who believes in the program’s ability to represent the college positively on and off the court.
During his time as men’s coach up to the 2017-2018 season, Beaury compiled a 643-226 (.664) record, with his teams winning eight conference titles and going to the postseason in 31 of 32 seasons. In 2016, he became the ninth NCAA Division II head coach to reach the 600-win mark, according to his bio page on the Saint Rose athletics website.
Reflecting on the recent changes in college basketball, including the transfer portal, Beaury acknowledged that these shifts have created a dynamic environment for both players and coaches. He expressed support for the rule limiting players to one free transfer, as it encourages accountability and commitment.
Beaury said this year’s team roster, a mix of transfers and freshmen, poses both strengths and challenges. Beaury emphasized the importance of talent, leadership, and chemistry in the team’s success.
He believes that despite having diverse voices, their shared mission should drive them toward success. “I’m looking for everybody in the program to be pulling from the same side of the rope,” Beaury noted. “Once we get everybody pulling in the same direction, I think we’ll be a handful to play against.”
Beaury’s primary goal for the upcoming season is to unite the team’s different personalities and skill sets into a cohesive unit. He compared the task to assembling an orchestra where each player contributes to the overall sound, and emphasized that the most talented player may not always be the primary contributor.
Beaury expressed his anticipation for the season and his desire to see the team come together for a successful run. “We’ve got a lot of guys that are different, that do different things,” he said. “Our challenge is to figure out how this orchestra will sound its best.”
With the seasoned coach’s return and his vision for team unity, Saint Rose men’s basketball fans can look forward to an exciting and harmonious season ahead.
